by Nan Jones @NanJonesAuthor
Guest Blogger, Joyce Thrasher @gpchurchlady
My guest today is a new friend, Joyce Thrasher. We met on Twitter a few months ago and let me tell you, this woman is a bundle of dynamite for the Kingdom of God! She knows what she believes and she knows the One in whom she has believed. If you have ever imagined a little crazy woman (said with great love and admiration) running around the community with a megaphone praising God, that might be Joyce. She is a delight. I’m excited for you to read this incredible testimony of her son’s healing. Joyce and I pray that the words of her heart will touch you and draw you closer to the One who pursues you with His love.
Welcome Joyce!
How
many times have you been excited about a miracle that occurred in your life and
had someone “deflate your joy?” This has
happened to me before, and it is so wrong. When miracles occur for others, instead of being negative, we should
rejoice that God is working!
was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with a genetic blood disorder. The hematologist said, “This diagnosis is for
a lifetime. There’s absolutely no cure.”
Sixteen years later Zach wanted to join
the National Guard. However, since he
had the blood disorder, we knew he wouldn’t/couldn’t pass the physical. Yet, something inside me (God’s nudge) said,
“Take Zach to the hematologist and have him re-checked. I called the
doctor’s office for an appointment. A
nurse rudely told me over the phone, “There’s no way Zach can be cured of this
blood disorder. It’s just not
possible.”
nurse, “I serve a God who makes all things possible. If He chooses, He can cure Zach.” A few days later as Zach and I sat in the
doctor’s office waiting for tests to be performed, we held hands and prayed for
a healing.
hematologist called and asked me to return to his office. When I arrived back, he told me, “I don’t
understand, but Zach doesn’t have the blood disorder any more.”
I replied, “It’s
a miracle! God healed Zach!”
sat there, shaking his head in disbelief, “This has never happened
before.”
as I had told the nurse, “All things are possible with God!” I was excited to give God the glory, and
couldn’t wait to tell everyone I met!
shared Zach’s miracle with the women in my Bible study class, women who
professed to be “deep and spiritual,” but who really didn’t seem excited about
anything except the current gossip. One
woman said to me in a rather sarcastic way, “Why do things like this happen to
you and your family and never to me or my family?”
if she wanted me to answer that or if she was mad at God. Maybe she didn’t believe in miracles; maybe
she just didn’t like me.
for her; I looked into her eyes and all I could see was sadness. I thought telling the Bible study women about
Zach’s healing might help them make some spiritual movement in their hearts and
faces, but they all still had the pursed lips and the deflated, sad look in
their eyes.
there will always be people who question what God is doing. When I encounter such people, I think about
Jesus. He performed numerous miracles (forty
are recorded in the Gospels) and still people grumbled and complained and
didn’t understand. Jesus could have let
those negative comments hold Him back, but instead, He rose above the fuss and
fray and kept moving forward with His mission on earth, doing the work of His
Father!
woman who people look at and say, “Joyce is so joyful! What’s different about her? I want what she has.” Then I can share with them that Jesus died
and was resurrected and if we believe, we will live with Him forever in heaven.
News, we may want to check our pulse. Like the women in the Bible study class, we may be spiritually deflated.
And yes, that is sad.
Brown Thrasher published her first book in May 2015: Crazy
Pastor’s Wife: Wit and Wisdom from Saints and Scoundrels. Her book is an anthology of true stories
based on her experiences as a mother, Army chaplain’s wife and pastor’s wife.
Joyce has also been published on, ChristianPost.com, Ambassadors for Christ
Radio, Christian Living Today
times on Disciplining Women webcast, and has been interviewed on the
radio station “Radio for Christ”.
invited as the keynote speaker at various women’s events of all sizes. In
October she will be speaking at a Pro-Life fundraiser; “100 Women Stand Up for
Life.” Joyce also teamed with her
husband to speak at a weekend marriage conference and occasionally joins him to
lead three Sunday morning worship services.
Joyce, I am so delighted in this testimony of God's love and faithfulness! I'm so happy you shared this with us. I really needed this today. Thank you. Blessings in the Lord, Marcie Bridges 🙂
Nan, thank you for sharing Joyce with us this week. What a blessing!
I know Marcie. I love to hear testimony of God's goodness. So glad you stopped by.
Marcie, this is one of my favorite stories to share!! God is still in the miracle business!!